Director’s Thoughts-May, 2015

Here we are in May already! Did you know that May is National Bike Month? How old were you when you got your first bike? I remember one year when I was a kid, @ Christmas time I got a new bicycle. I bet a lot of you did, too. If you did, then you know exactly what it is like to have a brand new bike sitting in the garage just waiting for the nice weather. When that nice weather finally arrived, I got that brand new shiny bike out & rode all over town on it. Well, now I am all grown up & have the same anxieties over the winter. I can’t wait to get my shiny red Buick out of the garage & ride all over town, just like when I was a kid! I give my car its first spring bath, wax her, & get her all tuned up for that first ride around town. You all know what I mean. It’s just like when I was a kid anticipating that first spring ride. I guess the old saying that the difference between men & boys is the price of their toys has some truth to it!

Your Director, Don Sterner

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, April 7, 2015

Director Don Sterner called the meeting to order at 7:20pm. There were 17 members & 1 guest present. Motion to accept February 2015 meeting minutes as printed in March newsletter, Tom Sylvester, seconded by Shirley Schaffer, so carried. No meeting minutes accepted for March due to no meeting due to inclement weather.
The guest speaker for the evening was Jehan Moustafa from Habitat For Humanity, Inc., Lehigh Valley. The organizations main goal is to provide help for hard working, low income families to obtain ownership of homes. They opened their doors in the Lehigh Valley in 1989 & now have 16 employees, to date. All programing is funded by fund raisers, grant monies & corporate contributions. Jehan did a fine job of educating us as to the opportunities for local low income families in obtaining housing & also the many ways that we can volunteer help.
Motion to accept treasurer’s report for February, Kathleen Duckett, seconded by George Grossman, so carried. Motion to accept treasurer’s report for March, Dolores Kennedy, seconded by Dan Reiniger, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
A. Historian – no report
B. Kempton – Flyers were disbursed during the meeting.
C. Membership – no report
D. Newsletter –no report
E. Programs – next month’s guest speaker=Ms, Jennifer Washney of the ACS.
F. Publicity –no report
G. Ways and Means – a ruler & a yardstick sold during the Hamburg meet. A Buick Coverlet was sold to a BCA member in Tennessee.

I. OLD BUSINESS
Greater Lehigh Valley New Auto Event – Inclement weather kept volunteers from displaying their Buicks.
Hershey Tour – April 11, 2015 – Stacy is taking the group on a tour to Hershey, PA. All reservations and tickets have been secured. There are 16 members attending. The itinerary was handed out to those attending tonight.
Annual Chapter Picnic – June 14th – “Weeping Willow” Pavilion has been secured. Watch your newsletter for more details.

II. NEW BUSINESS
May 31, 2015 – Tour to Collegeville, Pa – Sally will be taking us on a quaint country tour to Collegeville, PA to the Kriebels’ lovely home. Watch your upcoming newsletter for further details & to sign up for this Spring tour!
June 6, 2015 – Lakota Wolf Preserve Tour – William “King” Schaedel is taking the group to the Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia, NJ. Read on in this newsletter for further details. You won’t want to miss this tour, guaranteed!!
July 11, 2015 – Crystal Cave Tour – Mark your Calendars! A tour to Crystal Cave followed by lunch @ the Virginville Hotel is being planned. Watch future newsletters for more details!
DAF 2015 – Shirley Schaffer reported: DAF will be held on Friday, July 31-Saturday, August 2, 2015. If you haven’t registered yet, please do so!
2016 50th BCA Anniversary Celebration –A meeting will be held during the 2015 Buick National Meet in Springfield, MO this June on 2016s event. There are plans to have a chapter table set up to promote the chapter. Everyone should watch their July & August Bugles for the 2016 registration form.
Motion to adjourn, John Moore, seconded by Kathleen Duckett, so carried, @ 8:00 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Stacy J. Sterner, Secretary

Collegeville, PA Tour, May 31, 2015

On Sunday, May 31st, please join me in taking a lovely ride down Rt. 29, through the countryside, to Collegeville, PA. Our first stop will be “The Power House Antiques & Collectibles” (handicapped accessible) just off Rt. 29. Minutes from there, we will then be under the gracious hospitality of Howard/Martha Kriebel. They gladly “WELCOME” us into their quaint & lovely home which is an exact replica of William Penn’s Home. After this, we will then be taken on a tour through their collection of cars. From there, we will enjoy dining together @ a nearby restaurant. Please join us for a fun filled, Spring day!
Meet: East Penn Diner, 1418 Chestnut St., Emmaus, Pa 18049 by 10:00am. You may have breakfast @ the Diner but be ready to leave by 10:00am.
Member/children of member (to age 12) = $3.00 per person
Non-member/children of non-member (to age 12) = $8.00 per person
Make check: “Free Spirit” Chapter, send to Sally Getz, 1060 Main Rd., Lehighton, Pa 18235 by May 25th. Questions, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130.
Sally Getz

Lakota Wolf Preserve, Wolf Tour, Columbia, NJ, June 6, 2015

Please mark your calendar on this date for a drive & a learning adventure about Wolves. William “King” Schaedel will be taking us on a relaxing drive from Bethlehem, PA to Columbia, NJ. We will leave the Perkins Restaurant (Rts 22/191) parking lot at 8:30 sharp. It will take us about 45 minutes to get to Lakota, but I am sure we will need a pit stop. So I will need the extra time. I have arranged for us to take the 10:30 am tour. The Wolf Preserve wants us there before 10 am w/ the bus leaving at 10:30. This is a very unique experience and many National and local car clubs have enjoyed the experience. After your tour, I will lead you to my home at “Big Oak” for a light lunch. You can try your hand at making your own personal pizza, hot dog (in a snoopy toaster) or hoagie. The Lakota Wolf Preserve is a very unique experience so bring some children. I know they will thank you. Also bring your fishing pole if you like to fish. “Big Oak” is a remodeled barn that sits on sixty acres surrounded by Jenny Jump State Park. Pure Country. The Schaedels look forward to seeing you. This event is rain or shine. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Pictures ARE allowed!
Meet = Perkins Restaurant, Rts. 22/ 191, Bethlehem, PA by 8:30am.
Adult member = $7.00 per person
Adult NON-member guest = $16.00 per person Child(ren) of member (up to 11) = $3.00 per child
Child(ren) NON-member guest (up to 11) = $7.50 per child
Make check = “Free Spirit” Chapter, mail to William Schaedel, PO Box 20, Hope, NJ 07844-0020 by June 1, 2015. Questions, William “King” Schaedel, 908-459-4669, bigoak@embarqmail.com

June 14, 2015, “Free Spirit” Chapter Annual Picnic
Where: Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa
When: Sunday, June 14th, lunch 12:30pm
Who: Last names beginning w/ A-I=dessert
J-R=cold dish
S-Z=hot dish
The chapter supplies the meats, plates, utensils, beverages, napkins, cups, and hot plates. Get those recipes out & intrigue the members w/ your favorite specialty! There will be a surprise guest speaker attending this year’s picnic! Come out to attend this event & to show support for fellow members and guest. Questions, Clarence Getz, 610-377-6130, csgetz@ptd.net

Crystal Cave – Saturday, July 11, 2015

The 55 minute tour includes a 13 minute movie in the Crystal Cave Theater presenting the history of Pennsylvania’s first show cave and the geology of caves. Trained and courteous guides will lead you through an array of spectacular milky white stalactites, stalagmites, and pillar & dropstone formation enhanced by indirect lighting. Marvels of stone sculptury include the Cathedral Chamber, The Prairie Dogs, The Giant’s Tooth, the Ear of Corn and Tobacco Leaves, the Natural Bridge, The Indian Head, The Totem Pole, and The crystal Ballroom. Concrete walks and steal railing ensure your safety through your decent 125 feet underground. The temperature is a constant and comfortable 54 degrees, however, a light sweater or jacket and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Our tour will conclude with lunch at the Virginville Hotel. Meeting place: Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78. Watch future newsletters for more informative information.
Adult member = $4.50 per person
Adult NON-MEMBER GUEST = $13.50 per person
Member Child(ren) (4-12) = $3.00 per child
NON-MEMBER Child(ren) (4-12) = $9.50 per child
Make check to: “Free Spirit” Chapter, send to Stacy Sterner, 121 Pheasant Drive, Kutztown, PA 19530 by July 5, 2015. Questions: 610-285-2346, dwsterner724@aol.com, or staze1016@aol.com. Don/Stacy Sterner

BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 27-30, 2016, Allentown, PA

National Buick Club of America will be celebrating its’ 50th Anniversary on July 27-30, 2016 on the grounds of Mr. Nikola Bulgari, Fenwick & Ellsworth Streets, Allentown, PA. Close to 1000 BUICKS are anticipated to be on display. For those of you who are National members, be sure to watch your future Bugle’s to register your car(s). If you’re attending this year’s National Meet in Springfield, Missouri, you will be privy to register during that time. So, say, be very attentive to your future Bugles to register.

Although 2016’s show is an “Anniversary Celebration” & there will be no judging, do not let that discourage you from participating. Each day, tours are offered to different places. If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, please consider on joining ASAP so you can register & participate. If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, you may only attend this celebration as a SPECTATOR. Questions, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130

Hershey Trolley Works Tour – April 11, 2015

16 “Free Spiriters” thoroughly enjoyed the SWEETNESS of this wonderful tour! A 75-minute Trolley tour of Hershey started their day. The immense history of Hershey was astonishing. To think of how a person, who really did not come from the most prestigious background, who did not finish school, go through 3 bankruptcies, yet still come out smelling so SWEET that his legacy continues to this day. It is truly amazing! After the Trolley tour, ice cream, chocolate bar tasting, & shopping throughout Chocolate World, lunch was served to all @ Red Robin’s. There, everyone enjoyed either a fancy burger, salad, or just a bowl of soup! Just all getting together to enjoy a day out was so amazing. It was a beautiful day for a ride!

Safe Driving Tips for Moving Trucks

The average do-it-yourself mover is unaccustomed to driving a 16-foot or 26-foot box truck, so Penske Truck Rental is offering a few safety tips.

Take your time: Allow plenty of time to reach your destination & be mindful of rush hour traffic. Roads & areas that are simple to navigate w/ a mid-size sedan are anything but w/ a truck.

Trucks are different: They’re taller, wider & weigh 10 times more than the average car. There are certain bridges that are too low for Penske trucks. Blind spots will also be completely different. Take the opportunity to familiarize yourself w/ the truck’s switches & gauges & adjust the side mirrors.

Insurance is important: A moving truck is most likely not covered through your family’s home auto insurance. So, the do-it-yourself moving experts at Penske have several insurance options, which aren’t nearly as expensive as one might think.

Think twice before including household chemicals (paints, cleaning materials, propane) that are flammable. It is prohibited by the US Department of Transportation.

Good luck w/ your move & be sure to visit Penske Truck Rental.com where you can also find information & great exclusive rates on truck rentals, accessories, movers, self-storage & other related services.

Our Spring Dilemma

Is spring around the corner? Nope, she’s knocking at the door w/ our list to clean the windows & wash & wax the floor.
We must also check for cobwebs in the corners of the wall. The spiders have been busy since they moved inside last fall.
Time to rid the house of clutter, can’t believe how much we’ve stored. In our zeal to save for “later” seems that we’ve gone overboard.
Are there closets “overflowing” w/ stuff from who knows when? Should it go or should we keep it till sometime it “fits” again?
Now it seems “Depression babies” have grown into adults, & growing up in those hard times had various results.
While some grew up as savers who just can’t bear to purge, others left bad times behind & get that urge to splurge.
Now I think I see my problem as I hold this spool of wool, some would see it as half-empty but I see it as half-full.
Oh decisions sap my energy so a thought I’d like to borrow, is from Scarlett O’Hara of Tara “I’ll think about it tomorrow”.

Simple Ways to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle

Since new cars have become so expensive, more & more vehicle owners are looking for ways to extend the life of their vehicles. The longer a car can stay on the road, the better an investment that vehicle becomes. Fortunately, there are several steps vehicle owners can take that should ensure their vehicles stay on the road for years to come.
Scale back on short trips. The toll cold starts take on a vehicle can add up over time. When a car is started, condensation builds up in the vehicle’s exhaust system. On longer trips, that condensation will gradually evaporate.

However, on short trips, that condensation often does not have enough time to evaporate, & over time too many short trips will lead to an accumulation of water in the muffler that can lead to rust & rust holes on the muffler. Short trips also can negatively affect gas mileage. When possible, leave your car @ home on trips into town when you can just as easily walk or ride a bicycle. Over time, reducing the amount of short trips you take in your car will greatly reduce wear & tear on your vehicle & improve your fuel efficiency as well.

Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Adhering to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule serves many purposes, including improving the its durability & protecting various components, including its cooling system & drivetrain. While many manufacturers used to recommend changing a vehicle’s oil every 3,000 miles, many of today’s newer automobiles need their oil changed less frequently. Check your owner’s manufacturer’s recommendations regarding oil changes, & don’t forget to replace the oil filter when changing your vehicle’s oil.

Pay attention to brake pads. Brake pads that are allowed to wear down can cause damage to the brakes’ rotors & calipers. That damage can prove costly & make things harder on your vehicle. Keep an eye on your vehicle’s brake pads, which are far expensive to replace than rotors & calipers, & do not allow them to wear down to metal.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires that are under-inflated will negatively impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. In addition, the tires’ life expectancy is reduced considerably when tires are not properly inflated. Routinely check your tire pressure, especially if you drive a lot, & keep tires inflated at the pressure recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Be mindful when filling up your tank. Many people do not pay much attention to their surroundings when pulling into the filling station.

But when you fill up, it can impact your car’s life expectancy. Perhaps the worst time to fill your tank is when the fuel tanker is in the gas station refilling the underground tanks. That’s because the process of filling the underground tanks can stir up sediment that had settled at the bottom of those tanks. If that sediment finds its way into your vehicle’s gas tank, it can clog filters & fuel injectors & negatively affect the vehicle’s performance. So unless your car is running on empty, avoid refilling its gas tank when the tanker is still in the station.

Take care of your vehicle’s interior, too. Caring for a car is not just about being good to what’s under the hood. Caring for the car’s interior will not necessarily impact its performance, but well-kept interior will improve how you look at your vehicle & how much you enjoy driving it. The longer you enjoy driving your vehicle, the longer you are likely to keep it. Preserve the vehicle’s door & window seals; clean the dashboard, including the gauges, vacuum the floor mats; & wipe down the vehicle’s interior, whether it’s cloth or leather. Keeping up the appearance of the cars interior will make the vehicle more enjoyable to drive & increase its value at resale.

Highway Hipsters Fueling the “Restomod” Movement
Vintage On The Outside, All-New On The inside.
You may have noticed hipsters hanging out at the local coffee shop flaunting their retro flat caps & facial hair, while sipping a double filtered flat-white coffee & posting “selfies” on their high tech smartphones. Now there’s a whole new group of highway hipsters-restomod cars that look vintage on the outside while powered by some of the latest automotive technology.

Restomods are a natural evolution of the hot-rods & customs of the ‘50’s & ‘60’s. Restoring a car close to its original appearance while adding mechanical modifications can transform it into something the original engineers never imagined. This can run the gamut of upgrading the brakes, to changing everything from the wheels up.
Traditional vehicle restoration, by comparison, is all about bringing an old ride back to the way it was when it rolled off the assembly line. That means using original parts where available or reproductions when necessary. Executed well, the end result is a “brand-new” 50-year-old car that performs like a 50-year-old car.

Over the past decade, restomod has increased in popularity. A lot of people love the classic 1960’s looks, but they want a car they can get in & drive every day, not just a museum piece. More & more upgrades & modifications are being done rather than the traditional restoration.

Classic 1st-generation Ford Mustangs have become a favorite canvas for restomodders to work their magic. Melding the pony car’s classic style w/ the modern mechanicals offers reliable everyday driving & all-around performance most old muscle cars can’t touch.

Builders can begin w/ a 1960s-era original, or start from scratch using a brand-new restoration body shell. New body shells are the preferred choice for restomodders looking for state of the art performance. Brand-new metal offers the strength to stand up to the increased acceleration loading from modern high-output engines & contemporary tires, something a 50-year old body might not provide.

With a newly manufactured restoration body shell available through the Ford Restoration Parts, customers can essentially buy or build a brand-new 1965-70 Mustang fastback or convertible & equip it w/ any engine they want-including the 5.0 liter “Coyote’V8 found in the 2014 Mustang GT.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MAY 2015
3 – GM On Display Show, Macungie Park, Macungie, PA
5 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78, supper at 6 pm, business meeting at 7:30 pm. Guest speaker is Ms. Jennifer Washney, Specialist Mission Delivery of East Central Division/American Cancer Society, Inc. Please join us! Who knows, YOU may benefit from this one day!
9 – Pottstown Cars: Coffee & Friends, Stowe, PA. Ray, 484-919-3424
16 – Ambler Car Show, Ambler, PA. 215-654-9663
17 – Wind Gap Show, 400 S. Lehigh St., Wind Gap, PA. 610-704-6586
17-21 -14th Annual Brass Era National Tour, Morgantown, PA. Jim Dix, 607-562-3501
31 – Collegeville, PA Tour, tour master, Sally Getz, 610-377-6130

JUNE 2015
6 – Lakota Wolf Preserve Tour, Columbia, NJ, tour master, the Schaedel’s
10-13 -National BCA Meet, Springfield, Missouri
12-14 – Elegance at Hershey. 717-534-1910
14 – “Free Spirit” picnic, Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park.
20 – Palmerton Car Show, Palmerton, PA. 610-826-3393
20 – 20th Annual AACA Museum Carnival Show, Hershey, Pa. 717-566-7100
26-28 – GM Nationals, Carlisle, Pa

JULY 2015
5 – Anthracite Region AACA show, McAdoo, PA. 570-929-2017
11 – Crystal Cave Tour, Kutztown, PA, Stacy/Don Sterner , 610-285-2346
12 – Cystic Fibrosis show, Doylestown, PA. altursi@gmail.com
18 – Classic show, Nazareth, PA. 610-434-2777
25 – Meal 4 Wheels show, Gilbert, PA. 570-424-5329
25 – Indian Trail Park show, Pennsville, PA. spohnster1@aol.com

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1917 Buick Roadster All restored. $25,000.00, 860-982-3001.
1927 Buick Sport Roadster (54) 3p, very rare car. Jack Bennett, representative for Rose Nemeth, (Erno’s wife,) Ringoes, NJ 908-303-5391
1956 Buick Century Riviera Series 60 – 4 dr htp. Original 322 “Nail Head” V8 Road Master engine (255hp) w/ “Dyna Flow” A/T & factory dual exhaust. PS, PB, PW & S. Sonomatic push button radio, factory deluxe lighting pkg. 72,700 original mi. Frame/body solid. Garage kept. Pics available. $15,000.00/negotiable. 570-309-2367, Robert.stavish@gmail.com
1962 Buick Skylark Conv. – Overall Good condition. Various NOS chrome installed. Runs/drives nice! Transmission, rear; top, & rear window good. Dave’s Interior Restorations, 525 Chestnut St, Emmaus, Pa 18049
1969 Skylark Convertible – kimberly.pavlick@scranton.edu
1973 Buick Centurion 455 Conv. Met. Brown with buckskin int., white top. Orig. paint, int. & running gear. Runs/drives EXC. 103K, 2nd owner. Includes cover & top boot. Sold new at C&G in Emmaus. Trans was completely rebuilt 2 yrs ago. $12,000 OBO. Carl, 610-366-7107
1981 Buick Regal – 4 dr dark green. Garage kept. 75,000 mi. 717-576-7588
1987 Buick Grand National, T-Top – black w/ grey/black int., orig parts, EXCELLENT condition, 3254 ORIGINAL miles, stored in heat controlled garage, $28,500 (or reasonable offer). gbrentano@verizon.net
1937 MINT Buick Owner’s Manual, $35.00. kriebel12@verizon.net
1972-’87 pr. of NOS brake rotors for FS Buick, $45.00. 610-489-1253
1983-’86 Buick Regal NOS headlight frame LF in original GM box, $25.00. kriebel12@verizon.net, 610-489-1253
1989 Buick Riviera 122,000 miles. Good condition, Garage kept. $3,500 OBO. 2000 miles on tires. New battery. Tom Kenn at 610-633-5285

In Search Of

1951-52 Buick Roadmaster RH grille bar extension. C. Wenger @ 443-710-6624, crewzn@broadstripe.net
Late 1980’-early 1990’s Buick LeSabre/Electra – In good running condition for daily driver use in local town driving, reasonably priced. Does not have to be in perfect condition. Harold, 610-826-2639.
1967 Buick Electra Convertible, 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com